The Tulamben Wall

The Tulamben Wall starts at a depth of 1 m to then drop straight to 40 m. Besides amazing coral growth this reef also features an unbelievable landscape sculpted by many overhanging rocks. The presence of smaller reef fish is abundant, with angel fish being the species worth mentioning. Besides emperor angel fish, yellow-faced angelfish and blue-banded angel fish can be found with the duke fish rounding out the selection as a member of the angel fish family. Quite often, huge schools of jack fish pass the wall, darkening the sun. Although it is a wall, this dive site is also suitable for snorkeling.

The Coral Garden

The Coral Garden is only about a hundred meters away from our Tauch Terminal Resort Tulamben, which is located directly at the beach. The coral garden starts at a depth of 2-15 m and is wonderfully grown featuring stone- and soft coral alike. Besides numerous species of reef fish, the beautiful blue-yellow ribbon moray eel has found a home here. This dive site is also a superb snorkelling spot with none to moderate current.

Shark Point

Shark Point can be reached via snorkeling close to the wall. The residing sharks are commonly whitetip- and blacktip reef sharks and may rest at a depth of 20 to 30 m in a sandy area. When currents are present, occasionally grey reef sharks and even hammerhead sharks circle the blue. The current may become quite strong here and sometimes cold water might swell up forming thermo clines. Thermo clines may lower the water temperature to 24 degrees for a short period of time. This dive site is not suitable for snorkeling.

Tulamben drop off at a glance
Reef characteristics: drop off
Visibility: 15-30 m
Current: none to moderate (shark point to strong)
Coral growth: many stone and soft coral
Marine life: many species of reef fish, specially angelfish
Highlight: easy to dive, also visited during the open water course

Kubu Reefs

Kubu is a small village in the neighborhood of Tulamben and just a short 10 minutes drive to the north-west. The Kubu reefs are easily accessible from the rocky lava shore, similar to the dive sites in the Tulamben bay area. The reef starts right off the beach in shallow water about 2 – 3 m deep featuring huge pinnacles of glassfish-covered coral heads. This site is a good snorkeling spot, too. The coral garden leads into a beautiful ridge covered with fields of stag horn coral (Acropora sp.) and some good sized bushes of soft coral (Dendronephthya spp.) which sometimes host rare crustaceans like porcelain crabs and tiny little cowrie snails (Pseudosimnia sp.). Please check for pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti) on deepwater gorgonian sea fans (Muricella sp.)! Nearly any kind of reef fish is abundant, schooling species like sawtooth barracudas (Sphyraena putnamiae) or large schools of fairy basslets (Pseudoanthias spp.) on the reef flat, but also individuals like large groupers can be seen. A very highlight would be the gorgeous juvenile pinnate batfish (Platax pinnatus) which hides in the dark of crevices and holes. This fish is rarely seen by divers but occasionally, and of course with a bit of luck, we can discover this beautiful animal on the Kubu reefs.

Especially “macro freaks” will like this site since we have discovered many rare species of nudibranches and sea slugs, some of them not yet described (unknown?).

Kubu Reefs at a glance

Characteristics: beautiful coral garden leading into a coral ridge
Visibility: 15 – 30 m
Current: moderate
Coral growth: rich coral pinnacles, wide fields of stag horn coral
Marine life: many species of reef fish, schooling barracudas
Highlight: pygmy seahorse, rare nudibranches, juvenile batfish

Practical information:
Departure time: 08:00 a.m.
Arrival time: ~ 01:00 p.m.
Included: transport, 2 dives with guide, snacks, soft drinks

Kubu Boga Wreck

The boga better known as Kubu wreck lies between 17 and 36 meters deep in the sandy bottom of Kubu, 4 km North-west from the resort. The wreck is a 43 meters long and 150 tons cargo ship donated to the Karangasem regency to establish a new dive destination. It was sank in September of 2012. Although it is a relatively new wreck, the marine ecosystem quickly engulfed it and covered it with various hard and soft coral, sponges and Gorgonian fans. There are also regular sightings of reef sharks, bump head parrot fish, blue-spotted stingrays, octopus and a school of barracuda at the wreck and its surrounding coral reef garden.

Besides blooming with marine life, the wreck offers 3 cargo hold levels for penetration dive. You can dive-in and explore the wreck from the inside and peep into all the corners of the wreck. On the lowest deck, you will also find a  VW Safari car wreck. Look out for lots of marine life under the car!! 

Kubu Wreck at a glance
Reef characteristics: Wreck
Visibility: 10-15m
Current: none – moderate
Coral growth: hard and soft coral, sponges and Gorgonian fans
Marine life: Reef sharks, Bump head Parrot fish, blue-spotted stingrays, octopus and barracudas
Highlight: Vibrant marine life, ideal for wreck specialty course and penetration dive   

The Japanese Wreck at Amed

The Japanese Wreck also known as the Lipah Bay wreck lies in the shallow water (2-12 meter) of Banyuning, 3 km southeast of Amed. It is a 40 minutes land transfer from the resort to the dive site.  The 20 meter Steel Wreck was first described in 1999 and have since been a popular dive site for its rich diversity of marine life. The reef surrounding the wreck continues in small bommies to about 35 meter, where you will find barrel sponges and Gorgonian fan with a chance of pygmy seahorses.

The Japanese Wreck at a glance
Reef characteristics: Wreck
Visibility: 10-15 meter
Current: moderate
Coral growth: wreck is completely covered by soft corals, Gorgonians, sponges and black coral bushes
Marine life: Schools of damsels, anthias, parrot fish and angelfish.
Highlight: Vibrant marine life and easy shore access